For my basement price wise which are cheaper and which is easier to work with
2007-11-09 06:53:19 · 4 answers · asked by tyrone c 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Um did you ask a basement finishing Q not long ago today?
I suggested galv. Steel studs for the basement; if in fact that was your Q.
Certainly they are a standard commercially. I use them all the time; but obviously others who answer state wood. I do use wood also, I just think the quality of most stud material sold lately is garbage, and if you happened to live in Hurricane Gulf as I do; you'd pay through the nose IF you could find any in season. Anyway... just one persons opinion.
The steel studs are no less effective; as strong; don't strictly last any less time than wood; are easy enough to drywall; are lighter in weight.
In any case Q & A is as much about personal opinions as it is about resolutions.
Price? Hmm easy enough to find out at any Lowes or HD. The issue with any construction material; the fact that we are BUILD crazy; the availability of quality materials; creates a market where price differences are negligible.
Steven Wolf
2007-11-09 09:30:24 · answer #1 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Steve is right. Lumber is hard to find in Gulf area. I have worked with both steel and wood for framing and have found that although steel will probably last longer in a basement where there is liable to be moisture, wood is easier to work with. Think about it--fasteners for steel can be rivets or screws, while you use nails for wood studs and framing. Steel is manufactured with fittings for standard connections, but if you need to modify you have to cut it and lose the fitting. Wood you just cut to spec and nail. Only issue I have ever encountered is toenailing the nails, which is something I have a problem with. Driving 16p nails at an angle is difficult at best unless you have a lot of experience doing it. I cut this corner by drilling first, then letting the nail follow the hole. Of course, there are metal nailers that come in corner angles but that increases costs just a bit. And, when building in a confined area, already raftered, you cannot build the frame on the floor and tip it up. It will be too high to make the fit. I got around this once by building a half inch less tall and shimming in once the framing was tilted to 90 degrees. Then nailed through the 2X4 and shim into the rafter of the basement.
Thus, I would use wood and make sure the bottom is waterproofed in some fashion--I usually seal it and then put a layer of polyurethane over that. Takes a bit more time, but if you have ever had water in the basement, or your hot water heater decides to lose its bottom drain, you will have some protection.
2007-11-12 11:47:50 · answer #2 · answered by ozarks bum 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wood is cheaper, but steel will last a liftime...what sounds better to u
2007-11-09 07:01:56 · answer #3 · answered by Speedstar 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
use wood, it will last and is standard for residential building and is easier to work with and no more expensive. 2X4s are the cheapest lumber you can buy. If you are concerned about rot , then use pressure treated base plate and the rest untreated.
2007-11-09 07:06:58 · answer #4 · answered by mrrosema 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wood is easier to work with and cheaper.
2007-11-09 06:56:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you get what you pay for .stick with wood
2007-11-09 06:57:30 · answer #6 · answered by mr. y 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋